T-Minus Space Daily: "ATMOS, Don’t Call It a Comeback" Summary
Release Date: February 6, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazas | N2K Networks
Overview
In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazas delivers a comprehensive intelligence briefing on the latest developments in the global space industry. The episode delves into significant announcements from European and Spanish space companies, a strategic partnership in the UK space sector, leadership changes within Russia’s Roscosmos, and an upcoming lunar mission by Astrobotic. Additionally, the program features an insightful interview with Amalak Bhadesha, CEO and Co-Founder of Orbital Composites, exploring the future of in-space manufacturing and assembly.
Intel Briefing
1. Atmos Space Cargo's Phoenix Reentry Capsule
Atmos Space Cargo, a leading European space company, has achieved a milestone by securing the first FAA reentry license for its Phoenix reentry capsule. Scheduled to launch on SpaceX's Bandwagon 3 rideshare mission no earlier than April 2025, the Phoenix capsule aims to complete two orbits around Earth before executing an atmospheric reentry.
Maria Varmazas [03:12]: "Phoenix is targeted to launch on the Bandwagon 3 rideshare mission with SpaceX no earlier than April 2025."
The mission is the inaugural flight in a series aimed at refining Atmos's reentry technology. While the prototype is not expected to survive the reentry, the test will provide crucial data for the development of the Phoenix 2 capsule, enhancing the robustness and versatility of Atmos's reentry platforms for future commercial applications.
Maria Varmazas [04:01]: "They do believe that the test flight will provide valuable flight data for the next iteration of their platform, called the Phoenix 2 capsule."
2. Indra's Acquisition of Hispasat
Spanish defense conglomerate Indra has announced its agreement to acquire an 89.7% stake in satellite operator Hispasat for €725 million. This strategic move, pending regulatory approvals, is part of Indra's broader strategy to bolster its defense and aerospace sectors amid increased military budgets across Europe.
Maria Varmazas [05:20]: "Indra Space will be the name of the new fully integrated space company, bringing together both the civil and military offers and positioning Indra as one of the leading European players in the space sector."
The acquisition includes purchasing Hispasat's 43% stake in Hizdesat, where Indra already holds a 7% share. This merger aims to ensure control over space-based communications, enhancing Indra's stature in the European space landscape.
3. Orbex and Deorbit Partnership in the UK
UK-based Orbex has entered into a new customer agreement with Deorbit, a space logistics and transportation company. Under this agreement, Deorbit UK will secure two launches aboard Orbex's Prime micro launcher within the next three years, leveraging Orbex's launch facilities at Saxford Spaceport in Scotland.
Maria Varmazas [06:50]: "Jonathan Furse, chief corporate development officer at Deorbit, said... 'Orbex Prime's missions will provide valuable insights into the UK's orbital launch capabilities and expand Deorbit's portfolio of orbital launch solutions.'"
With the capability to conduct up to ten launches annually from the Shetland Launch facility, Orbex aims to advance the UK's presence in the orbital launch market, fostering growth and innovation within the national space industry.
4. Leadership Changes at Roscosmos
In a significant shake-up, the Kremlin has dismissed Yuri Borisov, the head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos, replacing him with Dmitry Bakanov, the Deputy Transport Minister with a background in satellite companies.
Maria Varmazas [06:30]: "The Kremlin has downplayed the dismissal as a 'rotation' and stated that they have had no complaints against Borisov."
This leadership change comes amid delays in Roscosmos's first launch of the year, signaling potential shifts in the agency's strategic direction and operational priorities.
5. Astrobotic's Griffin Mission 1
Astrobotic has announced that its Griffin Lander will deliver an Astrolabe rover to the Moon as part of Griffin Mission 1. Scheduled for late 2025, the mission targets deployment at the lunar South Pole, contributing to NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative.
Maria Varmazas [06:45]: "The mission aims to accelerate the development of a versatile and robust RE entry platform for commercial applications."
The Griffin Mission 1 will carry the Viper payload, focusing on testing the inflatable heat shield technology critical for reliable atmospheric reentry.
In-Depth Interview: Amalak Bhadesha, CEO & Co-Founder of Orbital Composites
Following the intel briefing, Maria interviews Amalak Bhadesha, offering a deep dive into Orbital Composites' vision for in-space assembly and manufacturing.
Vision for In-Space Manufacturing
Bhadesha outlines the company's ambition to revolutionize space infrastructure by enabling the construction of large-scale structures directly in orbit.
Amalak Bhadesha [09:22]: "The goal is to be able to, you know, put people on Mars. To do that, you actually need to build things over there."
He emphasizes that in-space manufacturing represents the next disruptive technology following reusable rockets, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of building and deploying infrastructure in space.
Amalak Bhadesha [09:31]: "Manufacturing in our mind is the next big hugely disruptive technology after reusable rockets."
Overcoming 3D Printing Challenges
Bhadesha discusses the limitations of current 3D printing technologies, such as strength constraints and dimensional restrictions, and how Orbital Composites is addressing these issues through innovative material reinforcement and multi-robot systems.
Amalak Bhadesha [12:30]: "The better way to go is to go parallel as opposed to in serial."
By leveraging multiple robotic arms, Orbital Composites aims to enhance printing speed and structural integrity without compromising resolution, akin to the parallel processing capabilities of GPUs in computing.
Material Science Innovations
Highlighting their approach to material science, Bhadesha explains that instead of developing new chemical compositions, Orbital Composites modifies the physics of existing materials to achieve superior performance and scalability.
Amalak Bhadesha [13:43]: "We don't invent chemistry, but we change the physics."
This strategy allows for faster implementation and integration with already qualified materials, bypassing the lengthy and capital-intensive process of developing new chemical compounds.
Amalak Bhadesha [14:33]: "We have interesting materials, but it's because we changed the physics, not the chemistry."
Future Projects and Market Applications
Bhadesha elaborates on the company's long-term goal of establishing gigafactories in space, enabling the construction of massive antennas for global communications and space-based energy solutions.
Amalak Bhadesha [17:22]: "Big antennas is answer to all your problems in life. So that's how I look at it. So we want to be the company that figures out how to build giant antennas in space."
By manufacturing and assembling large-scale structures in orbit, Orbital Composites seeks to overcome the limitations of launch fairing sizes, thereby facilitating the deployment of expansive and high-performance systems not feasible with traditional launch methods.
Additional Highlights
NASA's Upcoming Twitch Live Stream from the ISS
Maria announces NASA's first live stream from the International Space Station (ISS) on the gaming platform Twitch, scheduled for February 12th at 11:45 Eastern. Dubbed "Live from Space," this event aims to engage a broader audience by tapping into Twitch's large and loyal user base.
Maria Varmazas [21:38]: "NASA's been on Twitch for a while... But live streaming from the ISS will be a first."
The live session will feature conversations with astronauts Don Pettit and Matt Dominick, allowing real-time interaction with viewers and showcasing life aboard the ISS from a new, interactive perspective.
Conclusion
This episode of T-Minus Space Daily offers a detailed snapshot of the dynamic developments shaping the global space industry. From Atmos's pioneering reentry technologies and Indra's strategic acquisitions to Orbex's UK partnerships and significant leadership changes within Roscosmos, the briefing underscores the rapid advancements and strategic maneuvers within the sector. The in-depth conversation with Amalak Bhadesha illuminates the future of in-space manufacturing, highlighting innovative approaches that could redefine space infrastructure and exploration. Additionally, NASA's initiative to engage with the gaming community through Twitch represents a novel outreach strategy, aiming to inspire and connect with a diverse audience.
For more detailed insights and continuous updates, visit N2K Space.
Prepared by the T-Minus Crew | N2K Networks